The INSKIP was lifting a large catch with the help of a heavy boom topped up. Based on the law of stability and physics, the weight of the catch would have effectively transferred to the derrick head when the winch operator took the strain on the winch. This would have raised the centre of gravity of the entire fishing vessel and nullified any residual positive metacentric height present. The vessel had minimal metacentric height present to start with as, being an old vessel of wooden constuction, it had a narrow beam, was loaded and had free surface effects from the champagne in its fish hold. The champagne was known to be occupying the fish hold to a quarter of its height. The crew, except for one, were untrained and hence did not realize the disastrous consequences which can result when the virtual centre of gravity is raised by free surface effect. They further compounded the effects of loss of positive stability by lifting weights with a topped-up boom which raised the virtual centre of gravity even more, and reduced the vessel's ability to right herself. The Safe Work Practices for Commercial Fishing Vessels, a publication by the Workers Compensation Board of British Columbia lists the brailing procedures and recommends it when it is not safe to drum a net aboard. However, increased hydraulic power, stronger nets and ramps instil a false sense of security in the fisherman and the arduous task of brailing is often avoided, leading to disastrous results, as in the case of the INSKIP. There are other publications on the safety and health of fishermen published by Transport Canada, one notably on fishing vessel stability. Most fishermen are unaware of the existence of these publications.Analysis The INSKIP was lifting a large catch with the help of a heavy boom topped up. Based on the law of stability and physics, the weight of the catch would have effectively transferred to the derrick head when the winch operator took the strain on the winch. This would have raised the centre of gravity of the entire fishing vessel and nullified any residual positive metacentric height present. The vessel had minimal metacentric height present to start with as, being an old vessel of wooden constuction, it had a narrow beam, was loaded and had free surface effects from the champagne in its fish hold. The champagne was known to be occupying the fish hold to a quarter of its height. The crew, except for one, were untrained and hence did not realize the disastrous consequences which can result when the virtual centre of gravity is raised by free surface effect. They further compounded the effects of loss of positive stability by lifting weights with a topped-up boom which raised the virtual centre of gravity even more, and reduced the vessel's ability to right herself. The Safe Work Practices for Commercial Fishing Vessels, a publication by the Workers Compensation Board of British Columbia lists the brailing procedures and recommends it when it is not safe to drum a net aboard. However, increased hydraulic power, stronger nets and ramps instil a false sense of security in the fisherman and the arduous task of brailing is often avoided, leading to disastrous results, as in the case of the INSKIP. There are other publications on the safety and health of fishermen published by Transport Canada, one notably on fishing vessel stability. Most fishermen are unaware of the existence of these publications. The vessel was loading her first catch of the day and using a topped-up boom to help to take the weight along with the net drum. As the vessel was very old and grandfathered regarding stability requirements, there had been no stability calculations done for the vessel, nor were they required to be done. Reduction of the vessel's initial stability was caused by the virtual loss of metacentric height due to the topped up boom taking the load, free surface effect of the champagne and water in the fish holds, and the fish on deck. The vessel capsized as the fish slid to the port side and downflooding of the fish holds occurred. The crew and the skipper's family escaped the sinking vessel by boarding the skiff in which they were at the time of rescue.Findings The vessel was loading her first catch of the day and using a topped-up boom to help to take the weight along with the net drum. As the vessel was very old and grandfathered regarding stability requirements, there had been no stability calculations done for the vessel, nor were they required to be done. Reduction of the vessel's initial stability was caused by the virtual loss of metacentric height due to the topped up boom taking the load, free surface effect of the champagne and water in the fish holds, and the fish on deck. The vessel capsized as the fish slid to the port side and downflooding of the fish holds occurred. The crew and the skipper's family escaped the sinking vessel by boarding the skiff in which they were at the time of rescue. The loss in stability suffered by the INSKIP caused it to capsize. Factors contributing to this were free surface effect caused by the sliding fish on deck and in the holds and the lifting of heavy weights by a topped-up boom.Causes and Contributing Factors The loss in stability suffered by the INSKIP caused it to capsize. Factors contributing to this were free surface effect caused by the sliding fish on deck and in the holds and the lifting of heavy weights by a topped-up boom.